Senators on Wednesday were divided over a bill seeking to outlaw open grazing in Nigeria and replace it with ranches in states of origin of pastoralists.
Although the Bill eventually scaled second reading, the lawmakers engaged in heated arguments on relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, protocol of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, as regards free movements of persons and their property.
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Zam Titus Tertenger (APC Benue North West) had in his lead debate submitted that the bill, among others, proposes ranching as the only viable alternative for cattle breeding in Nigeria, he dvocates for the urgent need to transit from traditional livestock keeping method to the modern methods which are safer and healthier to both the herds and the herders.
The lawmaker added that the ranches be established in the pastoralists state of origin without forcing it upon other states or communities that do not have pastoralists as citizens who engage in such business must seek and obtain approvals of their host communities to establish ranches for the purpose of peaceful co-existence.
According to him, “Reports have it that since 2016 more than 4000 lives have been lost as a result of farmers herders conflicts.
“Also, over five million people have been displaced particularly in the Middle Belt Region and other parts of Northern Nigeria. With dwindling productivity in crops production and herds which has reportedly cost the country an average of $3.5 million dollars or 47% of its internally generated revenue.”
Tertenger therefore emphasised the need for the Senate come up with measures to address the problem of herders-farmers violent conflicts that could escalate beyond the current state if allowed linger further and “consume even more lives and properties than the civil war of 1967-1970.”
But contributing to the debate, while Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA Abia South), Garba Musa Maidoki (PDP Kebbi South), Abba Moro (PDP Benue South ) supported the bill, others like Senators Adamu Aliero (PDP Kebbi Central) , Suleiman Kawu (NNPP Kano South), Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central ) kicked against the bill.
Senator Aliero in opposing the bill raised constitutional point of order by quoting section 41 of the 1999 Constitution which gives all Nigerians free movement into any state with their property .
He specifically told the Senate that it was wrong for the sponsor of the bill , to propose establishment of ranches in the state of origin of pastoralists alone .
Senator Kawu in his own opposition to the bill, said it was totally against provisions of Nigeria Constitution .
Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau said he has advised the sponsor to step the Bill down for limiting establishment of ranches to states of origin of pastoralists.
However, the bill scaled second reading when put to voice votes by Senate President Godswill Akpabio after refusal of the sponsor to step it down and was forwarded to the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Judiciary and Legal Matters for more legislative inputs within the next four weeks .
